as in intruding
to cause a disruption in a conversation or discussion
it's rude to interrupt when someone is making an important point
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of interrupting
Nantambu was arrested in June on charges of resisting an officer and disturbing the peace by interrupting a lawful assembly, revealing a link between the incidents.
—
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
An early appearance from the Editor means premature evaluation — a mind interrupting itself just as the creative thoughts were getting fun.
—Big Think, 23 Oct. 2025
Sorry for interrupting you there.
—Outside Online, 22 Oct. 2025
As in Bennett’s other works, vagueness manifests in the book’s sentences, which have a habit of interrupting themselves, thoughts popping in and out with the regularity of a real-life interior monologue.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
At the July gathering, Sheridan’s supporters packed the room and took control, shouting at speakers and interrupting the interpreter’s translations of the discussion into Spanish.
—Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2025
Matilda had asked, politely interrupting the beginning of what promised to be a windy narrative about the two sorry sons.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Biotech firms are also trying to halt the process, but at a different point — by interrupting various communication pathways involved in cell death.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 16 Oct. 2025
Dickinson says, interrupting his story.
—Carrie Battan, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
An early appearance from the Editor means premature evaluation — a mind interrupting itself just as the creative thoughts were getting fun.
—Big Think, 23 Oct. 2025
Sorry for interrupting you there.
—Outside Online, 22 Oct. 2025
As in Bennett’s other works, vagueness manifests in the book’s sentences, which have a habit of interrupting themselves, thoughts popping in and out with the regularity of a real-life interior monologue.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
At the July gathering, Sheridan’s supporters packed the room and took control, shouting at speakers and interrupting the interpreter’s translations of the discussion into Spanish.
—Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2025
Matilda had asked, politely interrupting the beginning of what promised to be a windy narrative about the two sorry sons.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Biotech firms are also trying to halt the process, but at a different point — by interrupting various communication pathways involved in cell death.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 16 Oct. 2025
Dickinson says, interrupting his story.
—Carrie Battan, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interrupting
Verb
-
China should also agree to hold fewer and smaller military exercises around Taiwan and stop intruding into Taiwan’s contiguous zone, which extends 24 nautical miles around the island.—
STEPHEN WERTHEIM,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Over the past year, Ukraine dispatched thousands of wheeled ground robots to its frontline military units to help deliver supplies, evacuate the wounded and, in some cases, attack the intruding Russians troops and push them out without risking the lives of Ukrainian soldiers.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If something’s bothering you, say so.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Saft, not bothering to remove his sneakers, leaped onto a chair to place an ornate gold mirror over the mantelpiece.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hopper saw a 40% increase in air travelers, adding its Disruption Assistance feature – which allows users to instantly rebook if their flight is delayed or canceled, or get a refund – overnight following the DOT’s announcement.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Every venue was upgraded to meet demand, with multiple cities adding extra dates, including a triumphant hometown finale in New York City.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Interrupting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interrupting. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share